Effects of spherical-platform texture parameters on the tribological performance of water-lubricated bearings

Water-lubricated bearings are essential parts of marine propulsion systems. However, severe friction and wear of water-lubricated bearings usually occur under marine running conditions. Surface texture technology has been verified as an effective method for improving material tribological properties and been successfully applied in many fields. Here, the effects of surface spherical-platform texture parameters on the tribological performance of water-lubricated bearings were investigated using 9 types of spherical-platform textured high density polyethylene (HDPE) specimens, manufactured using 3D printer technology. Two groups of tests with different applied loads and rotational speeds were performed to simulate low-speed and heavy-load conditions of waterlubricated bearings. By analyzing the friction coefficient, wear mass loss, and surface topography, sphericalplatform textures were concluded to have had a positive effect on the tribological performance of waterlubricated bearings. Specimens with 1/2 spherical-platform texture showed the best ability to promote the wedge-shaped effect and cavitation effect of lubrication, which improved the bearing tribological performance. This study provided an experimental foundation for optimizing the surface texture of water-lubricated bearings.